When playing the national anthems before the opening
match in Pool B in the Palazzadel
Turismo in Jesolo between Serbia and Japan, the young player from Serbia could
still score the most. In a loud voice they sang their anthem, in order to tune
into the first appearance ever of a Serbian team at a Boys Youth World
Championship. But after 21 minutes playing time in the first set, it was the
Japanese, whose voices had grown louder. They won the set with 25:20.

Japanese Setter Sho Kuboyama had opened the game with
his serve, the first point made, however, Serbia's captain Aleksandar
Atanasijevic. At the first technical timeout Serbia had gained a lead of 8:7.
Thereafter, the Japanese players had taken off their excitement and were more
confident. Up to 13:9, they had earned themselves a head start, in which each
point gain was enthusiastically celebrated. Although Serbia has yet to
compensate for 14:14, but a series of four points to 18:14 saw the Japanese
team for security, which continued until 25:20.

Set two seemed to take a similar course. Japan was
once again in a 13:9 lead, but then Serbian attacker Uros Kovacevic was
responsible for the turnaround. With his sercives, he made a lot of pressure
and took his team to winning ways. Serbia was like from the 13:13 to 16:16,
then allowed only one point for Japan. After 23 minutes they had reached
winning the set by 25:15.

The match then developed into a thriller with an
uncertain outcome. Serbia earned in set three with a clear leadership 14:7, but
Japan showed fighting spirit and at 19:18 it was the first time in this set
they had the nose back in front. A service-winner by Shuzo Yamada at 25:22
finished that set.

But 24 minutes later the Serbians player could once again tore up their
arms.After a gap of 18:19 they
had reached by 25:21 for the second time a set of compensation. Now, the fifth
set had to bring the decision. Up to 8:8 it was open who will be the winner.
Then a block and a service-winner of Dusan Petkovic were responsible for two
important points to Serbia (11:8). At 14:12 Serbia had the first match ball,
but it was forgiven by Kovaceciv. For the decision then attended Takasahi
Dekita. His attack landed behind the line and it was the point to 15:13 for
Serbia.